Scoring runs in a Test match against a high-quality opposition is the ultimate test for any batsman. Every young player when he starts playing cricket, one of his dreams is to play the longest format for his nation. It is a format where everything gets tested. The greatest thing about Test cricket just like life is that it gives you a second chance just like second-innings in a test match.
If you haven’t done well in the first innings you always have a second chance in the longest format. But the second innings is also a difficult task because sometimes you are either chasing down a huge total or you are battling to save a Test match. The second-innings can get slightly easier if your team has got a first-innings lead, and then you are batting to set up a total. Having said that, experts have always rated the second innings runs higher than the first innings runs. So, let’s have a look at the five players with the most runs in the team’s second innings in Test cricket.
- Allan Border – 4371 runs
The Australian legend Allan Border after whom the Border Gavaskar Trophy is named has scored more than 10,000 Test runs at an average over 50. But his average went up by four runs when he batted in the 2nd innings for Australia. Allan Border has scored 4371 runs in the 2nd innings for Australia at an average of 54.63 with 11 centuries to his name.
He had the highest of 163 in the 2nd innings. He has a total of 27 centuries out of which 11 came in the second- innings. These are excellent numbers for any cricketer and hence he is an Australian legend.
- Kumar Sangakkara – 4569 runs
Kumar Sangakkara is probably one of the most underrated Test cricketers. He has scored a total of 12,400 runs in his Test career at a staggering average of 57.40 with 38 centuries to his name out of which 11 are double centuries.
In the second innings for Sri Lanka in Tests, he has scored 4569 runs at an average of 51.92 with 14 centuries to his name and the highest of 211. The Sri Lankan left-hander has to be one of the best Sri Lankan batsmen if not the best.
- Sachin Tendulkar – 4621 runs
When we talk about Test batting records Sachin Tendulkar has to be there. But he won’t be that happy with this record as his numbers in the second innings for the Indian test team are not that great. He averages almost 54 in his Test career with 15,921 runs to his name.
But when it came to the second innings of a Test match, he scored only 4621 runs out of those 15,921 runs and his average dropped from 53.78 to 42.78 which is a drop of 11 runs. Tendulkar would have liked to average more in the second-innings for India but overall he has scored more runs than anyone else so that it wouldn’t matter.
- Jacques Kallis – 4726 runs
Jacques Kallis is arguably the best all-rounder to have played Test cricket, and he is also one of the finest Test batsmen to have played the game. Kallis scored 13289 runs in his Test career with an average of 55.37 and 45 centuries to his name. It is unusual but his second innings record is better than his normal Test record.
In the second innings for South Africa, he has scored 4726 runs at an average of 56.26 which is slightly better than his career average. He has scored 11 centuries in the Second-Innings for South Africa. Kallis is truly a South African great.
- Alastair Cook – 4947 runs
Alastair Cook, the England Test opener who retired in 2018 is first on the list with 4947 runs in the second-innings for England in Tests. Cook has scored 12,472 runs in his Test career at an average of 45.35 with 33 centuries to his name.
In the second innings, he has scored 4947 runs at an average of 42.64 with 15 centuries to his name. Almost half his centuries came in the 2nd innings which is a great thing. With 4947 runs in the second innings for England in Test matches, Alastair Cook is first on the list.
